Twelve youngsters will face off in the $120,000 Listed Blue Diamond Preview (C&G) (1000m) with the John O’Shea-trained Mesa, coming off an impressive trial win at the track, and unraced Top Me Up installed as the equal $4 favourites through Ladbrokes.com.au.

Also in the mix are the likes of the rails-drawn Kirabo ($5.50), Demonstrate ($5.50) and the Tony McEvoy-trained Manhattan Blues ($6.50) who won in Adelaide over 1000m early in the month.

So will one of the single-figure hopes win the boys’ Preview?

Or is there an upset on the cards from the likes of Redoute’s Choice colt Burnstone ($10) or the Robbie Laing-trained Trench Fighter ($13) who will have Craig Williams aboard as he looks to improve on a sixth to Of The Brave in the Debutant takes from October last year?

See below for our insider 2015 Blue Diamond (C&G) Preview tips, then visit our number one recommended bookmaker Ladbrokes.com.au to back your favourites at the hottest odds and clean up at this pre-autumn meeting!

1st

The only non-maiden in the race, $6.50 seems a good price for Tony McEvoy’s nicely-bred Manhattan Rain gelding had two December trials before his debut including a win over 850m at Morphettville where he returned to win over 1000m on January 10. Is proven over the distance and while this is a step up in class he does have potential and won’t be racing as greenly as some of these coming in without a trial. Barrier five suites and Steven King comes aboard.

2nd

Laing has three in the race and Trench Fighter is his best chance. Craig Williams has the ride from gate eight on this Denman colt who ran sixth when four lengths away in the Listed Debutant Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield during the spring. He trialled this month then at Sandown and was third to Mesa over 800m. Think he’ll be improving over the extra distance now he’s had a look at the track and his trainer is very happy with his progress.

3rd

Impossible to leave Mesa out but think that even though he oozes potential he might struggle from the outside barrier 12 start. Debut run when only a neck away third in a black-type here on November 15 was impressive and his breeding being a Lonhro colt is also outstanding. Represents Godolphin and trainer John O’Shea had to be happy with the winning trial here when putting four lengths on his Monday rivals Kentucky Flyer and Trench Fighter.

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